Allana Macdougall

Allana passed away on March 26, 2021 at the Ottawa Hospital General Campus after a brief encounter with an aggressive form of cancer.  By her side were her partner of 52 years, Diane Carroll; her brother Byron; and, her sister-in-law Joanne MacNeil.  Allana, the daughter of the late Allan MacDougall of Antigonish, NS and Bianca Byron of Sydney, NS, was born on July 26, 1949 in Sydney, Cape Breton.  She is survived by her partner Diane, her mother Bianca, her brother Byron (Sarah) all of Ottawa, and her sisters Afra and Carla of Toronto.  She is also survived by her two amazing nephews, Jack and Allan, whom she loved dearly, and her Carroll-in-laws, Joanne, David, Nicholas and Patrick and their families whom she never failed to amaze with her kindness, grace and culinary talents.

Allana attended St. Francis Xavier University where she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree and met her life partner, Diane.  She also attended St. Mary’s University where she completed her Bachelor of Education degree.  She worked as a supply teacher for several years in both Halifax and Ottawa and later worked in a number of federal government departments.

Allana and Diane lived in Ottawa for 45 of the last 49 years, spending 4 years in Vancouver, where they both worked for the Airline Division of the Canadian Auto Workers Union.  Starting in their mid-20s they travelled extensively, spending 4 months in Europe in 1976.   In more recent years, they took cruises on the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas and around South America, went on a sometimes-scary road trip to Ireland, enjoyed the cuisine and music of New Orleans and made a fascinating trip to Costa Rica, where Allana amazed Diane and her fellow travellers by overcoming in her fear of heights by crossing several rope bridges high above the rain forest.  However, her greatest enjoyment came from her annual trips to PEI, especially the ones with her two nephews, and regular trips to Cape Breton.  Walking the beaches, regardless of the weather, was one of her greatest pleasures.

Allana’s best years in Ottawa were her last 22, which while for 14 of these years she dealt with Parkinson’s Disease, she was surrounded by an amazing family of friends at Island Park Estates.   Diane will be forever grateful for their amazing support over the past 6 weeks.    Diane would also like to thank Allana’s neurologist Dr. Michael Schlossmacher, her GP Dr. Lisa Moore and her physiotherapists at Neurologic Physiotherapy (Ali, Nicole, Sue and Victoria) whose care and support allowed Allana to effectively manage the worst symptoms of Parkinson’s.    A celebration of Allana’s life will be held in Ottawa and in Cape Breton when COVID restrictions permit.    In Allana’s memory please consider donating to Operation Smile Canada or Parkinson’s Canada.